Langley Township will consider deploying goats and sheep to reduce wildfire risk in its parks and greenbelts, after a motion was approved at the last regular council meeting of the year on Monday, July 27.
Councillor Rob Rindt, whose family owns a turf farm, put forward a motion asking staff to look into the feasibility of a targeted grazing pilot program.
Rindt’s motion noted that the Township has a number of areas that are at risk of brush fires and grass fires in the summer months, including parks, road allowances, and utility corridors.
In other areas across B.C., goats and sheep have been grazed on such areas to control invasive plants, reduce fuels for fire, and reduce reliance on mowing and herbicides, Rindt’s motion said.
The feasibility report will look at suitable areas for such a program, the anticipated level of wildfire risk reduction and other benefits, as well as estimated costs for managing livestock and grazing services, and a comparison with current procedures like mowing. It will also look into partnerships with local farmers, conservation groups, and Indigenous communities.
The next council – after the Oct. 17 civic elections – will receive the report and decide whether or not to go forward with the plan.
The idea was met with little debate, with Coun. Kim Richter raising the only dissent.
“I’m concerned that it would contradict some of the things this council has already done,” Richter said. “For example we banned dogs on playing fields because of the potential for contact with dog feces.”
Mayor Eric Woodward noted that the dogs on sports fields policy had been in place for many years and pre-dates the current council.
The motion passed 7-1, with Richter opposed.